Optical readable code support and capsule for preparing a beverage having such code support providing an enhanced readable optical signal

ABSTRACT

An optically readable code support to be associated with or be part of a capsule indented for delivering a beverage in a beverage producing device by centrifugation of the capsule, the support comprising at least one sequence of binary symbols represented on the support so that each symbol is sequentially readable by a reading arrangement of an external reading device while the capsule is driven in rotation along an axis of rotation, wherein the binary symbols are essentially formed of light reflective surfaces and light absorbing surfaces. The code support preferably comprises a base structure extending continuously at least along said sequence of symbols and discontinuous discrete light-absorbing portions locally applied onto or formed at the surface of said base structure; wherein the discontinuous discrete light-absorbing portions form the light-absorbing surfaces and the base structure forms the light-reflective surfaces outside the surface areas occupied by the discrete light-absorbing portions: said discrete light-absorbing portions are arranged to provide a lower light-reflectivity than the one of the base structure outside the surface areas occupied by the discrete light-absorbing portions.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/358,361 filed May 15, 2014, which is a National Stage ofInternational Application No. PCT/EP2012/072088 filed Nov. 8, 2012,which claims priority to European Patent Application No. 11189232.9filed Nov. 15, 2011, the entire contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains to the field of the beverage preparation, inparticular using capsules containing an ingredient for preparing abeverage in a beverage preparation machine. The present inventionrelates in particular to optical code supports adapted to storeinformation related to a capsule, capsules associated with/or embeddinga code support, reading and processing arrangements for reading andusing such information for preparing a beverage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For the purpose of the present description, a “beverage” is meant toinclude any human-consumable liquid substance, such as coffee, tea, hotor cold chocolate, milk, soup, baby food or the like. A “capsule” ismeant to include any pre-portioned beverage ingredient or combination ofingredients (hereafter called “ingredient”) within an enclosingpackaging of any suitable material such as plastic, aluminum, arecyclable and/or bio-degradable material and combinations thereof,including a soft pod or a rigid cartridge containing the ingredient.

Certain beverage preparation machines use capsules containing aningredient to be extracted or to be dissolved and/or an ingredient thatis stored and dosed automatically in the machine or else is added at thetime of preparation of the drink. Certain beverage machines compriseliquid filling means that include a pump for liquid, usually water,which pumps the liquid from a source of water that is cold or indeedheated through heating means, e.g. a thermoblock or the like. Certainbeverage preparation machines are arranged to prepare beverages by usinga centrifugal extraction process. The principle mainly consists inproviding beverage ingredient in a container of the capsule, feedingliquid in the capsule and rotating the capsule at elevated speed toensure interaction of liquid with powder while creating a gradient ofpressure of liquid in the capsule; such pressure increasing graduallyfrom the center towards the periphery of the receptacle. As liquidtraverses the coffee bed, extraction of the coffee compounds takes placeand a liquid extract is obtained that flows out at the periphery of thecapsule.

Typically, it is suitable to offer to the user a range of capsules ofdifferent types containing different ingredients (e.g., different coffeeblends) with specific taste characteristics, to prepare a variety ofdifferent beverages (e.g., different coffee types) with a same machine.The characteristics of the beverages can be varied by varying thecontent of the capsule (e.g., coffee weight, different blends, etc.) andby adjusting key machine parameters such as the supplied liquid volumeor temperature, the rotational speed, the pressure pump. Therefore,there is a need for identifying the type of capsule inserted in thebeverage machine to enable the adjustment of the brewing parameters tothe inserted type. Moreover, it may also be desirable for capsules toembed additional information, for example safety information like use-bydate or production data like batch numbers.

WO2010/026053 relates to a controlled beverage production device usingcentrifugal forces. The capsule may comprise a barcode provided on anoutside face of the capsule and which enables a detection of the type ofcapsule and/or the nature of ingredients provided within the capsule inorder to apply a predefined extraction profile for the beverage to beprepared.

It is known from the art, for example in document EP1764015A1, to printa local identifying barcode on the circular crown of a coffee wafer foruse in a conventional coffee brewing machine.

Co-pending international patent application PCT/EP11/057670 relates to asupport adapted to be associated with or be a part of a capsule for thepreparation of a beverage. The support comprises a section on which atleast one sequence of symbols is represented so that each symbol issequentially readable, by a reading arrangement of an external device,while the capsule is driven in rotation along an axis of rotation, eachsequence codes a set of information related to the capsule. Suchinvention enables to make a large volume of coded information available,such as about 100 bits of redundant or non-redundant information,without using barcode readers having moving parts like a scanningelement which may raise severe concerns in terms of reliability. Anotheradvantage is also to be able to read the code support by rotating thecapsule while the capsule is in place, in a ready to brew position inthe rotary capsule holder. However, one disadvantage lies in that thosereading conditions remain specifically difficult for different reasons,such as because the incoming and outgoing rays of light must traversethe capsule holder when the capsule is held by the capsule holder,causing the loss of a great part of energy and/or because the light raysmay incur significant angular deviations due to particular mechanicalconstraints born by the rotating assembly of the machine and possiblycoming from different origins (e.g., vibrations, wearing, unbalancedmass distribution, etc.). Furthermore, it is not suitable to compensatethe loss of reflectivity by improving the performance of the lightemitting and sensing devices of the machine as it would make thebeverage preparation machine too expensive.

Dutch patent NL1015029 relates to a code structure comprising a carrierwith a barcode disposed thereon in the form of parallel bars, comprisingfirst bars with a first reflection coefficient and second bars with asecond reflection coefficient lower than the first reflectioncoefficient, wherein the first bars are made of a substantiallyretro-reflective material and the second bars are made ofmirror-reflective material. This bar code structure is speciallydesigned to be recognized from a greater distance by already existinglaser scanners, more particularly, by the use of retro-reflectivematerials, i.e., material wherein the peak of the reflectioncharacteristic is measured at 180 degrees. However, such code structureposes a problem of properly detecting the reflected signals of the firstand second bars due to the angular distance between the two reflectedsignals. Such solution is therefore not adapted to a compact readingsystem to be installed in a beverage preparation device.

Therefore, there is a need for providing an improved code support whichenables to provide a reliable reading in the particular conditions metin a beverage machine using capsules for the preparation of thebeverage.

The present invention relates to an improved code support and capsulecomprising said support in particular for providing an enhancement ofthe optical signal generated from the code support. In particular, aproblem met with an optical code on a capsule is that light-reflectingand light-absorbing signals can be difficult to discriminate.

Another problem lies in that the support is relatively complex tointegrate to the packaging structure forming the capsule itself and, inparticular, manufacturing packaging constraints exist, such as therespect of proper material thickness for a proper forming of thecapsule.

The present invention aims at providing solutions alleviating at leastpartially these problems.

In particular, there is a need for reliably reading information on aproper code support associated to or part of a capsule, in particular, asupport able to generate an enhanced signal in particularly difficultreading conditions found in a beverage machine such as one providingextraction of the beverage by centrifugation obtained by rotating thecapsule about its center. There is also a need for providing a supportthat is adapted for an easy integration to a capsule packaging material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an optically readable code support tobe associated with or be part of a capsule intended for delivering abeverage in a beverage producing device, such as by centrifugation ofthe capsule in the device, the support comprising at least one sequenceof symbols represented on the support so that each symbol issequentially readable by a reading arrangement of an external readingdevice while the capsule is driven in rotation along an axis ofrotation, wherein the symbols are essentially formed of light reflectivesurfaces and light absorbing surfaces wherein the code support comprisesa base structure extending continuously at least along said sequence ofsymbols and discontinuous discrete light-absorbing portions locallyapplied onto or formed at the surface of said base structure; whereinthe discontinuous discrete light-absorbing portions form thelight-absorbing surfaces and the base structure forms thelight-reflective surfaces outside the surface areas occupied by thediscrete light-absorbing portions; said discrete light-absorbingportions are arranged to provide a lower light-reflectivity than the oneof the base structure outside the surface areas occupied by the discretelight-absorbing portions.

The discontinuous discrete light-absorbing portions of lowerlight-reflective refers to portions of light impact-able surfaces,providing a lower mean intensity than the mean intensity reflected bythe reflective surfaces formed by the base structure outside these localareas occupied by said light-absorbing portions. The mean intensity isdetermined when these portions or surfaces are illuminated by anincoming beam of light forming an angle between 0 and 20°, at awavelength between 380 and 780 nm, more preferably at 830-880 nm, andthese portions or surfaces reflect an outgoing beam of light, in adirection forming an angle comprised between 0 and 20°. Theidentification of these surfaces can be correlated to the upwards anddownwards jumps reflecting the transitions between the reflective andabsorbing surfaces after filtering of the typical signal fluctuationsand noises. These angles are determined relative to the normal to thelight impact-able surfaces. Therefore, it should be noticed that suchlight-absorbing portions may still provide a certain level of reflectedintensity, e.g., by specular and/or diffusion effect, within saiddefined angle ranges. However, the levels of reflected intensity betweenthe reflective absorbing surfaces should be sufficiently distinct sothat a discriminable signal is made possible.

Surprisingly, the proposed solution enables to improve the readabilityof the generated signal. Furthermore, it can form a structure which canbe easily integrated to a capsule, e.g., be formed into athree-dimensional containment member (e.g., body and rim).

Preferably, the optically readable code support has an annularconfiguration so that it can be associated to a capsule, be part of orform the rim of a capsule indented for delivering a beverage producingdevice by centrifugation of the capsule in such device. The opticalproperties of the support, as defined by the particular arrangement ofthe invention, are such that a reading of the code is made possiblewhile the support is driven in rotation in the beverage device.

Preferably, the base structure and the light-absorbing portions form,respectively, a light-reflective surface and light-absorbing surfacewhich both reflect, at a maximum of intensity, within reflection angleswhich differ one another of less than 90 degrees, preferably, differ oneanother of less than 45 degrees. In other words, the reflective andabsorbing surfaces of the code support are not chosen amongst twosurfaces having different reflective properties, i.e., surfaces havingmirror-reflective properties and retro-reflective properties.

In the context of the present invention, mirror-reflective propertiesrefer to the reflection characteristics having a local maximum with areflection angle equal to the angle normal to the direction from whichthe beam was transmitted. “Retro-reflective surfaces” are usuallysurfaces which reflect the incident light beam in a direction oppositeto the direction from which the beam was transmitted, irrespective ofthe angle of the incident beam relative to the surface.

The optical properties of the support, as defined by the particulararrangement of the invention, are also such that a more robust readingof the code is made possible by transmitting the source light beam andreflected light beam within a reduced angle range enabling to build areader system within a confined environment such it is the case in abeverage preparation device.

More preferably, the light-reflective surfaces are obtained by a basestructure of continuous arrangement, such as, for instance, forming anannular part of the flange-like rim of the capsule. It enables the use alarger choice of reflective packaging materials forming a sufficientthickness for a sufficiently good reflectivity. Materials for the basestructure of the code support can form a part of the capsule and areprone to forming or molding into a cup-shaped body of the capsule, forexample. The overlying arrangement of the light-absorbing surfaces onthe base structure, by way of discrete portions, enables to moredistinctively produce a signal of lower reflectivity compared to thelight-reflective signal, in particular, in an environment wherepotentially a major part of the light energy is lost during transferfrom the machine to the capsule. In particular, loss of the light energymay be due to the requirement for traversing one or more walls of thedevice.

More particularly, the light-reflective base structure comprises metalarranged in the structure to provide the light reflective surfaces. Inparticular, the light-reflective base structure comprises a monolithicmetal support layer and/or a layer of light-reflective particlespreferably metal pigments in a polymeric matrix. When metal is used aspart of the base structure, it can advantageously serve for providingboth an effective reflective signal and a layer constituting part of thecapsule which may be formed into a complex three dimensional shape andconfer a strengthening and/or protective function, for example, a gasbarrier function. The metal is preferably chosen amongst the groupconsisting of: aluminum, silver, iron, tin, gold, copper andcombinations thereof. In a more specific mode, the light-reflective basestructure comprises a monolithic metal support layer coated by atransparent polymeric primer so as to form the reflective surfaces. Thepolymeric primer enables to level the reflecting surface of metal for animproved reflectivity and provides an improved bonding surface for thelight absorbing portions applied thereon. The primer providesformability to the metal layer by reducing the wearing forces duringforming. The primer also protects the metal layer from scratching orother deformation that could impact on the reflectivity of the surfaces.The transparency of the primer should be such that the loss of lightintensity in the determined conditions through the layer is negligible.The primer also avoids a direct food contact with the metal layer. In analternative, the base structure comprises an inner polymeric layercoated by an outer metallic layer (e.g., by vapor metallization of thepolymeric layer). Preferably, the non-metallic transparent polymericprimer has thickness of less than 5 microns, most preferably a thicknessbetween 0.1 and 3 microns. The thickness as defined provides asufficient protection against direct food contact with metal andmaintains, for enhanced reflectivity purpose, levels the surfaceirregularities of the metal and provides a glossy effect of the metalsurface positioned underneath.

In a different mode, the light-reflective base structure comprises amonolithic metal support layer or polymeric support layer; said layerbeing coated by a lacquer comprising light-reflective particles,preferably metal pigments. The lacquer has a larger thickness than aprimer so that it can advantageously contain reflective pigments. Thelacquer has preferably a thickness higher than 3 microns and less than10 microns, preferably comprised between 5 and 8 microns. The lacquerforms a light-reflective layer that improves the reflectivity of themetal layer positioned underneath. The reflectivity is dependent on theratio of metal pigments to the polymer (in % by wt). The ratio of metalpigment can also be increased above wt. 10% for a non-metallic supportlayer to ensure the sufficient reflective properties of the basestructure.

Both the primer and lacquer improve the formability of the metal layerby reducing the wearing forces during forming (e.g., deep drawing)thereby enabling to consider the code support as a formable structure toproduce the body of the capsule. The chemical base of the primer orlacquer is preferably chosen amongst the list of: polyester, isocyanate,epoxy and combinations thereof. The application process of the primer orlacquer on the support layer depends on the thickness of the polymericlayer and the ratio of pigments in the film since such ratio influencesthe viscosity of the polymer. For example, the application of the primeror lacquer on the metal layer can be made by solvation, for example, byapplying the metal layer with a polymeric containing solvent andsubmitting the layer to a temperature above the boiling point of thesolvent to evaporate the solvent and enabling curing of the primer orlacquer and to fix it onto the metal layer.

Preferably, the discontinuous light-absorbing portions are formed by anadditional color contrasting layer applied onto the said base structure.The discontinuous light-absorbing portions are preferably formed by anink applied onto the said base structure. The ink has preferably athickness between 0.25 and 3 microns. Several ink layers can be appliedto form the light-absorbing portions, of, for instance, 1 micron-thick,to provide several printed ink layers in a register. The ink portionsreflect a lower light intensity compared to the reflective surfacesformed by the base structure. For the light-absorbing portions, the inkpreferably comprises at least 50% by weight of pigments, more preferablyabout 60% by weight. The pigments are chosen amongst those essentiallyabsorbing light at sensibly 830-850 nm of wavelength. Preferred pigmentsare black pigments or color (non-metallic) pigments. As a matter ofexample, color pigments used in color pantone codes: 201 C, 468C, 482C,5743C, 7302C or 8006C, have provided satisfactory results. Theapplication of ink to form the light-absorbing portions on the basestructure can be obtained by any suitable process such as stamping,roto-engraving, photo-engraving, chemical treatment or offset printing.

Preferably, the sequence of symbols comprises between 100 and 200symbols sequentially readable on the support. More preferably, itcomprises between 140 and 180 symbols, most preferably 160 symbols. Eachsymbol forms covers an area having an arcuate sector, along thecircumferential extension direction of the sequence, lower than 5°, morepreferably between 1.8° and 3.6°, most preferably comprised between 2and 2.5°. Each individual symbol may take a rectangular, trapezoidal,circular shape.

The invention relates to a capsule comprising an optically readable codesupport as aforementioned.

The invention further relates to a capsule indented for delivering abeverage in a beverage producing device by centrifugation comprising abody, a flange-like rim and an optically readable code support asaforementioned, wherein the code support is an integral part of at leastthe rim of the capsule, wherein the body and rim of the capsule areobtained by forming, such as by deep drawing, a flat or preformedstructure comprising said support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present invention will be better understood thanks to the detaileddescription which follows and the accompanying drawings, which are givenas non-limiting examples of embodiments of the invention, namely:

FIG. 1 illustrates the basic principle of the centrifugal extraction,

FIG. 2a, 2b illustrate an embodiment of the centrifugal cell with acapsule holder;

FIG. 3a, 3b, 3c illustrate an embodiment of a set of capsules accordingto the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a code support according to theinvention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternate position of the sequence on the capsule,in particular, when placed on the underside of the rim of the capsule,and the capsule fitted into a capsule holder of the extraction device,

FIG. 6 illustrates by a schema an optical bench used to measure symbolson an embodiment of a capsule according to the invention;

FIG. 7 shows a diagram of the relative diffuse reflectivity of thesymbols of an embodiment of a capsule according to the invention, as afunction of the source and detector angles;

FIG. 8 shows a diagram of the contrast between symbols of an embodimentof a capsule according to the invention, as a function of the source anddetector angles;

FIG. 9 is a first example of an optically readable coded support alongcircumferential cross-section view in radial direction R at the rim ofthe capsule of FIG. 4,

FIG. 10 is a second example of an optically readable coded support alongcircumferential cross-section view in radial direction R at the rim ofthe capsule of FIG. 4,

FIGS. 11 to 13 illustrate graphical representations of the measure ofreflectivity in % respectively for optically readable code supportsaccording to the invention and for another comparative code support.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a beverage preparation system 1 asdescribed in WO2010/026053 for which the capsule of the invention can beused.

The centrifugal unit 2 comprises a centrifugal cell 3 for exertingcentrifugal forces on the beverage ingredient and liquid inside thecapsule. The cell 3 may comprise a capsule holder and a capsule receivedtherein. The centrifugal unit is connected to driving means 5 such as arotary motor. The centrifugal unit comprises a collecting part and anoutlet 35. A receptacle 48 can be disposed below the outlet to collectthe extracted beverage. The system further comprises liquid supply meanssuch as a water reservoir 6 and a fluid circuit 4. Heating means 31 mayalso be provided in the reservoir or along the fluid circuit. The liquidsupply means may further comprise a pump 7 connected to the reservoir. Aflow restriction means 19 is provided to create a restriction to theflow of the centrifuged liquid which leaves the capsule. The system mayfurther comprise a flow meter such as a flow-metering turbine 8 forproviding a control of the flow rate of water supplied in the cell 3.The counter 11 can be connected to the flow-metering turbine 8 to enablean analysis of the generated impulse data 10. The analyzed data is thentransferred to the processor 12. Accordingly, the exact actual flow rateof the liquid within the fluid circuit 4 can be calculated in real-time.A user interface 13 may be provided to allow the user to inputinformation that is transmitted to the control unit 9. Furthercharacteristics of the system can be found in WO2010/026053.

FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c relate to an embodiment of a set of capsules 2A, 2B,2C. The capsules preferably comprise a body 22, a rim 23 and an upperwall member respectively a lid 24. The lid 24 may be a perforablemembrane or an aperture wall. Thereby the lid 24 and the body 22 enclosean enclosure respectively ingredients compartment 26. As shown in thefigures, the lid 24 is preferably connected onto an inner annularportion R of the rim 23 that is preferably between 1 to 5 mm.

The rim is not necessarily horizontal as illustrated. It can be slightlybended. The rim 23 of the capsules preferably extends outwardly in adirection essentially perpendicular (as illustrated) or slightlyinclined (if bended as aforementioned) relative to the axis of rotationZ of the capsule. Thereby, the axis of rotation Z represents the axis ofrotation during centrifugation of the capsule in the brewing device, andin particular is sensibly identical to the axis of rotation Z of thecapsule holder 32 during centrifugation of the capsule in the brewingdevice.

It should be understood that the shown embodiment is just an exemplaryembodiment and that the capsules in particular the capsule body 22 cantake various different embodiments.

The body 22 of the respective capsule has a single convex portion 25 a,25 b, 25 c of variable depth, respectively, d1, d2, d3. Thereby, theportion 25 a, 25 b, 25 c may as well be a truncated or a partiallycylindrical portion.

Hence, the capsules 2A, 2B, 2C preferably comprise different volumesbut, preferably, a same insertion diameter ‘D’. The capsule of FIG. 3ashows a small volume capsule 2A whereas the capsule of FIGS. 3b and 3cshow a larger volume capsule 2B respectively 2C. The insertion diameter‘D’ is hereby determined at the line of intersection between the lowersurface of the rim 23 and the upper portion of the body 22. However, itcould be another referencing diameter of the capsule in the device.

The small volume capsule 2A preferably contains an amount of extractioningredient, e.g., ground coffee, smaller than the amount for the largevolume capsules 2B, 2C. Hence, the small capsule 2A is intended fordelivery of a short coffee of between 10 ml and 60 ml with an amount ofground coffee comprised between 4 and 8 grams. The larger capsules 2B isintended for delivery of a medium-size coffee, e.g., between 60 and 120ml and the largest capsule is intended for delivery of a long-sizecoffee, e.g., between 120 and 500 ml. Furthermore, the medium-sizecoffee capsule 2B can contain an amount of ground coffee comprisedbetween 6 and 15 grams and the long-size coffee capsule 2C can containan amount of ground coffee between 8 and 30 grams.

In addition, the capsules in the set according to the invention maycontain different blends of roast and ground coffee or coffees ofdifferent origins and/or having different roasting and/or grindingcharacteristics.

The capsule is designed for rotating around the axis Z. This axis Zcrosses perpendicularly the center of the lid which has the form of adisk. This axis Z exits at the center of the bottom of the body. Thisaxis Z will help to define the notion of “circumference” which is acircular path located on the capsule and having the axis Z as referenceaxis. This circumference can be on the lid, e.g. lid or on the body partsuch as on the flange-like rim. The lid may be impervious to liquidbefore insertion in the device or it may be pervious to liquid by meansof small openings or pores provided in the center and/or periphery ofthe lid.

Hereafter, the lower surface of the rim 23 refers to the section of therim 23 that is located outside the enclosure formed by the body and thelid, and is visible when the capsule is oriented on the side where itsbody is visible.

Further characteristics of the capsules or the set capsules can be foundin documents WO 2011/0069830, WO 2010/0066705, or WO2011/0092301.

An embodiment of the centrifugal cell 3 with a capsule holder 32 isillustrated by FIGS. 2a and 2b . The capsule holder 32 forms in generala cylindrical or conical wide shaped cavity provided with an upperopening for inserting the capsule and a lower bottom closing thereceptacle. The opening has a diameter slightly larger than the one ofthe body 22 of the capsule. The outline of the opening fits to theoutline of the rim 23 of the capsule configured to lean on the edge ofthe opening when the capsule is inserted. As a consequence, the rim 23of the capsule rests at least partially on a receiving part 34 of thecapsule holder 32. The lower bottom is provided with a cylindrical shaft33 attached perpendicularly to the center of the external face of thebottom. The capsule holder 32 rotates around the central axis Z of theshaft 33.

An optical reading arrangement 100 is also represented in FIGS. 2a and2b . The optical reading arrangement 100 is configured to deliver anoutput signal comprising information related to a level of reflectivityof a surface of the lower surface of the rim 23 of a capsule leaning onthe receiving part 34 of the capsule holder 32. The optical readingarrangement is configured to perform optical measurements of the surfaceof the lower surface of the rim 23 through the capsule holder 32, moreparticularly through a lateral wall of the cylindrical or conical wideshaped capsule holder 32. Alternatively, the output signal may containdifferential information, for instance differences of reflectivity overtime, or contrast information. The output signal may be analog, forexample a voltage signal varying with the information measured over thetime. The output signal may be digital, for example a binary signalcomprising numerical data of the information measured over the time.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 2a and 2b , the reading arrangement 100comprises a light emitter 103 for emitting a source light beam 105 a anda light receiver 102 for receiving a reflected light beam 105 b.

Typically the light emitter 103 is a light-emitting diode or a laserdiode, emitting an infrared light, and more particularly a light with awavelength of 850 nm. Typically, the light receiver 103 is a photodiode,adapted to convert a received light beam into a current or voltagesignal.

The reading arrangement 100 comprises also processing means 106including a printed circuit board embedding a processor, sensor signalamplifier, signal filters and circuitry for coupling said processingmeans 106 to the light emitter 103, the light receiver 102 and to thecontrol unit 9 of the machine.

The light emitter 103, the light receiver 102, and the processing means106 are maintained in a fixed position by a support 101, rigidly fixedrelatively to the machine frame. The reading arrangement 100 stays intoits position during an extraction process and is not driven intorotation, contrary to the capsule holder 32.

In particular, the light emitter 103 is disposed so as the source lightbeam 105 a is generally oriented along a line L crossing at a fixedpoint F the plane P comprising the receiving part 34 of the capsuleholder 32, said plane P having a normal line N passing through the pointF. The fixed point F determines an absolute position in space where thesource light beams 105 a is intended to hit a reflective surface: theposition of the fixed point F remains unchanged when the capsule holderis rotated. The reading arrangement may comprise focusing means 104,using for example holes, lenses and/or prisms, to make the source lightbeam 105 converging more efficiently to the fixed point F of the lowersurface of the lid of a capsule positioned into the capsule holder 32.In particular, the source light beam 105 may be focused so as toilluminate a disc centered sensibly on the fixed point F and having adiameter d.

The reading arrangement 100 is configured so as the angle OE between theline L and the normal line N is comprised between 2° and 10°, and inparticular between 4° and 5° as shown in FIG. 2a . As a consequence,when a reflecting surface is disposed at the point F, the reflectedlight beam 105 b is generally oriented along a line L′, crossing thefixed point F, the angle OR between the line L′ and the normal line Nbeing comprised between 2° and 10°, and in particular between 4° and 5°as shown in FIG. 2a . The light receiver 102 is disposed on the support101 so as to gather at least partially the reflected light beam 105 b,generally oriented along the line L′. The focusing means 104 may also bearranged to make the reflected light beam 105 b concentrating moreefficiently to the receiver 102. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG.2a, 2b , the point F, the line L and the line L′ are co-planar. Inanother embodiment, the point F, the line L and the line L′ are notco-planar: for instance, the plane passing through the point F and theline F and the plane passing through the point F and the line L′ arepositioned at an angle of sensibly 90°, eliminating direct reflectionand allowing a more robust reading system with less noise.

The capsule holder 32 is adapted to allow the partial transmission ofthe source light beam 105 a along the line L up to the point F. Forinstance, the lateral wall forming the cylindrical or conical wideshaped cavity of the capsule holder is configured to be non-opaque toinfra-red lights. Said lateral wall can be made of a plastic basedmaterial which is translucent to infra-red having entry surfacesallowing infra-red light to enter.

As a consequence, when a capsule is positioned in the capsule holder 32,the light beam 105 a hits the bottom part of the rim of said capsule atpoint F, before forming the reflected light beam 105 b. In thisembodiment, the reflected light beam 105 b passes through the wall ofthe capsule holder up to the receiver 102.

The section of the lower surface of the rim 23 of a capsule positionedinto the capsule holder 32, illuminated at the point F by the sourcelight beam 105, changes over the time, only when the capsule holder 34is driven into rotation. So, a complete revolution of the capsule holder32 is required for the source light beam 105 to illuminate the entireannular section of the lower surface of the rim.

The output signal may be computed or generated by measuring over thetime the intensity of the reflected light beam, and possibly, bycomparing its intensity to those of the source light beam. The outputsignal may be computed or generated by determining the variation overthe time of the intensity of the reflected light beam.

The capsule according to the invention comprises at least one opticallyreadable code support. The code support can be, in the present part ofthe flange-like rim. Symbols are represented on the optically codesupport. The symbols are arranged in at least one sequence, saidsequence code a set of information related to the capsule. Typically,each symbol corresponds to a specific binary value: a first symbol mayrepresent a binary value of ‘0’, whereas a second symbol may represent abinary value of ‘1’.

In particular, the set of information of at least one of the sequencesmay comprise information for recognizing a type associated to thecapsule, and/or one or a combination of items of the following list:

information related to parameters for preparing a beverage with thecapsule, such as the optimal rotational speeds, temperatures of thewater entering the capsule, temperatures of the collector of thebeverage outside the capsule, flow rates of the water entering thecapsule, sequence of operations during the preparation process, etc;

information for retrieving locally and/or remotely parameters forpreparing a beverage with the capsule, for example an identifierallowing the recognition of a type for the capsule;

information related to the manufacturing of the capsule, such aproduction batch identifier, a date of production, a recommended date ofconsumption, an expiration date, etc;

information for retrieving locally and/or remotely information relatedto the manufacturing of the capsule.

Each set of information of at least one of the sequences may compriseredundant information. Hence, error-checking may be performed bycomparison. It also improves by the way the probability of a successfulreading of the sequence, should some parts of the sequence beunreadable. The set of information of at least one of the sequences mayalso comprise information for detecting errors, and/or for correctingerrors in said set of information. Information for detecting errors maycomprise repetition codes, parity bits, checksums, cyclic redundancychecks, cryptographic hash function data, etc. Information forcorrecting errors may comprise error-correcting codes, forward errorcorrection codes, and in particular, convolutional codes or block codes.

The symbols arranged in sequences are used to represent data conveyingthe set of information related to the capsule. For instance, eachsequence may represent an integer number of bits. Each symbol may encodeone or several binary bits. The data may also be represented bytransitions between symbols. The symbols may be arranged in the sequenceusing a modulation scheme, for example a line coding scheme like aManchester code.

Each symbol may be printed and/or embossed. The shape of the symbols maybe chosen amongst the following non-exhaustive list: arch-shapedsegments, segments which are individually rectilinear but extend alongat least a part of the section, dots, polygons, geometric shapes.

In an embodiment, each sequence of symbols has a same fixed length, andmore particularly has a fixed number of symbols. The structure and/orpattern of the sequence being known, it may ease the recognition of eachsequence by the reading arrangement.

In an embodiment, at least one preamble symbol is represented in thesection, so as to allow the determination of a start and/or a stopposition in the section of each sequence. The preamble symbol is chosento be identified separately from the other symbols. It may have adifferent shape and/or different physical characteristics compared withthe other symbols. Two adjacent sequences may have a common preamblesymbol, representing the stop of one sequence and the start of the otherone.

In an embodiment, at least one of the sequences comprises symbolsdefining a preamble sequence, so as to allow the determination of aposition of the symbols in said sequence code the set of informationrelated to the capsule. The symbols defining a preamble may code a knownreserved sequence of bits, for example ‘10101010’.

In an embodiment, the preamble symbols and/or the preamble sequencescomprise information for authentifying the set of information, forexample a hash code or a cryptographic signature.

The symbols are distributed sensibly on at least 1/81 h of thecircumference of the annular support, preferably, on the entirecircumference of the annular support. The code may comprise successivearch-shaped segments. The symbols may also comprise successive segmentswhich are individually rectilinear but extend along at least a part ofthe circumference.

The sequence is preferably repeated along the circumference in order toensure a reliable reading. The sequence is repeated at least twice onthe circumference. Preferably, the sequence is repeated three to sixtimes on the circumference. Repetition of the sequence means that thesame sequence is duplicated and the successive sequences are positionedin series along the circumference so that upon a 360-degree rotation ofthe capsule, the same sequence can be detected or read more than onetime.

Referring to FIG. 4, an embodiment 30 a of a code support isillustrated. The code support 60 a occupies a defined width of the rim23 of the capsule. The rim 23 of the capsule can comprise essentially aninner annular portion forming the support 60 a and an outer (non-coded)curled portion. However, it can be that the full width of the rim isoccupied by the support 60 a, in particular, if the lower surface of therim can be made substantially flat. This location is particularlyadvantageous since they offer both a large area for the symbols to bedisposed and is less prone to damages caused by the processing moduleand in particular by the pyramidal plate, and to ingredientsprojections. As a consequence, the amount of coded information and thereliability of the readings are both improved. In this embodiment, thecode support 60 a comprises 160 symbols, each symbol code 1 bit ofinformation. The symbols being contiguous, each symbol has a arc-linearlength of 2.25°.

Referring to FIG. 5, an embodiment 60 b of a code support is illustratedin planar view. The code support 60 b is adapted to be associated withor be part of a capsule, so as to be driven in rotation when the capsuleis rotated around its axis Z by the centrifugal unit 2. The receivingsection of the capsule is the lower surface of the rim 23 of thecapsule. As illustrated on FIG. 5, the code support may be a ring havinga circumferential part on which the at least one sequence of symbols isrepresented, so as the user can position it on the circumference of thecapsule before introducing it into the brewing unit of the beveragemachine. Consequently, a capsule without embedded means for storinginformation can be modified by mounting such a support so as to add suchinformation. When the support is a separate part, it may be simply addedon the capsule without additional fixing means, the user ensuring thatthe support is correctly positioned when entering the brewing unit, orthe forms and the dimensions of the support preventing it from movingrelatively to the capsule once mounted. The code support 60 b may alsocomprise additional fixing means for rigidly fixing said element to thereceiving section of the capsule, like glue or mechanical means, to helpthe support staying fixed relatively to the capsule once mounted. Asalso mentioned, the code support 60 b may also be a part of the rimitself such as integrated to the structure of the capsule.

Each symbol is adapted to be measured by the reading arrangement 100when the capsule is positioned into the capsule holder and when saidsymbol is aligned with the source light beam 105 a at point F. Moreparticularly, each different symbol presents a level of reflectivity ofthe source light beam 105 a varying with the value of said symbol. Eachsymbol has different reflective and/or absorbing properties of thesource light beam 105 a.

Since the reading arrangement 100 is adapted to measure only thecharacteristics of the illuminated section of the code support, thecapsule has to be rotated by the driving means until the source lightbeam has illuminated all the symbols comprised in the code. Typically,the speed for reading the code can be comprised between 0.1 and 2000rpm.

The reflective characteristics of the code support of the invention aredetermined in defined laboratory conditions. In particular, a firstsymbol and a second symbol of an embodiment of a capsule that aresuitable to be read reliably by the reading arrangement 100 have beenmeasured independently using an optical bench represented on FIG. 6. Thegoniometric measurements of diffuse reflection of said symbols on thecapsule are shown on FIGS. 7 (reflected intensity of each symbol) and 8(contrast between symbols).

Hereafter, the first symbol is more reflective than the second symbol.The set-up for the measurement of the diffuse reflected relativeintensity of each symbol is built so as to able to modify independentlythe angle 0 of a light source and the angle 0′ of a light detector. Thedetector is a bare optical fiber connected to a power meter glued to avery fine mechanical tip which is fixed to the motorized detector arm.For all measurements, the angle Φ between the source and detector planesis equal to Φ=90°. The light source is a laser diode emitting a lighthaving a wavelength λ=830 nm.

The diagram on FIG. 7 shows a relative diffuse reflectivity (axis 210)of the symbols of the capsule as a function of the detector angle 0′(axis 200). A reference intensity E_(REF) of reflectivity is measuredfor the first symbol, with the detector angle set to 0° and the sourceangle set to 5°. The relative diffuse reflectivity of each symbol iscalculated relatively to the reference intensity E_(REF). The curves 220a, 230 a, 240 a shows respectively the relative diffuse reflectivity ofthe first symbol, at three different source angles θ=0°, 5°, 10°. Thecurves 220 b, 230 b, 240 b shows respectively the relative diffusereflectivity of the second symbol, at three different source anglesθ=0°, 5°, 10°.

The relative diffuse reflectivity represents at least 60% of thereference intensity EREF for any value of the detector angle 0′comprises between 3° and 6° and for any value of the source angle θcomprises between 0° to 10°. In particular, the relative diffusereflectivity represents at least 72% of the reference intensity EREF forany value of the detector angle 0′ comprises between 2.5° and 4.4° andfor any value of the source angle 0 comprises between 0° to 10°.

The diagram on FIG. 8 shows the optical contrast (axis 310) between thefirst and the second symbols as a function of detector angle θ′ (axis300). The optical contrast is defined by the following mathematicalexpression (i1−i2)/(i1+i2), where i1, i2 represent respectively theintensity reflected by the first, second symbol respectively to thedetector, in a same given configuration of the angles θ and θ′. Thecurves 320, 330, 340, 350 show respectively, at four different sourceangles θ=0°, 5°, 10°, 15°, said optical contrast. The lowest contrastvalue is in any case is greater than 65%, which allows reliable signalprocessing. In particular, the optical contrast is greater than 80% forany value of the detector angle 0′ comprises between 2.5° and 4.4° andfor any value of the source angle 0 comprises between 10° to 15°. Inparticular, the optical contrast is greater than 75% for any value ofthe detector angle θ′ greater than 6° and for any value of the sourceangle θ comprises between 0° to 15°.

FIG. 9 illustrates a preferred mode of an optical readable code support30 of the invention in cross-sectional circumferential view of FIG. 4.The code support 30 comprises a readable (external) side A and anon-readable (internal) side B. At its readable side A, the supportcomprises successive light-reflective surfaces 400-403 andlight-absorbing surfaces 410

414. The light absorbing surfaces 410-414 are formed by a base structure500 which comprises several superimposed layers whereas the lightabsorbing surfaces 400-403 are formed by overlying on the base structurein local circumferential areas, discontinuous discrete portions of lightabsorbing material, preferably discrete portions of ink layers 528,applied onto the base structure. The base structure comprises apreferably monolithic layer of metal 510, preferably aluminum (or analloy of aluminum) onto which is coated a transparent polymeric primer515, preferably made of isocyanate or polyester. The thickness of metal,e.g., aluminum layer, can be a determining factor for the formability ofthe support into a containment structure of the capsule (e.g., body andrim). For formability reasons, the aluminum layer is preferablycomprised between 40 and 250 microns, most preferably between 50 and 150microns. Within these ranges, the aluminum thickness may also providegas barrier properties for preserving the freshness of the ingredient inthe capsule, in particular, when the capsule further comprises a gasbarrier membrane sealed onto the rim.

The code support may be formed from a laminate which is deformed to formthe rim 22 and body 23 of the capsule (FIGS. 3a-3b ). In such case, thelaminate has the composition of the base structure 500 and is printedwith the light-absorbing ink portions 400-403 in the flat configurationbefore the forming operation of the capsule (e.g., body, rim). Theprinting of the ink portions must thus take into effect the subsequentdeformation of the laminate so that it enables a precise positioning ofthe coded surfaces. The type of ink can be a mono-component,bi-component, PVC based or PVC-free based inks. The black ink ispreferred as it provides a lower reflectivity and higher contrast thancolored inks. However, the black ink portions could be replaced byequivalent colored ink portions, preferably dark or opaque inks. The inkmay comprise, for instance, 50-80% wt. of color pigments.

Preferably, the metal layer is aluminum and has a thickness comprisedbetween 6 and 250 microns. The primer enables to level the rugosity ofthe metal (i.e., aluminum) layer. It also improves the bonding of theinks on the metal layer, in particular, aluminum. The primer must remainrelatively thin to diminish the diffusion of the light beam. Preferably,the thickness of the primer is comprised between 0.1 and 5 microns, mostpreferably between 0.1 and 3 microns. The density of the primer ispreferably comprised between 2 and 3 gsm, for example, is of about 2.5gsm.

Optionally, the base structure may comprises additional layers, on thenon readable side, preferably a polymer layer such as polypropylene orpolyethylene and an adhesive layer 525 for bonding the polymer layer 520onto the metal layer 510 or heat seal lacquer enabling sealing of lid ormembrane on the rim of the capsule or an internal protective lacquer orvarnish. The support as defined can form an integrated part of thecapsule, e.g., of the capsule flange-like rim and body.

A preferred base structure according to the mode of FIG. 9, compriserespectively from the B side to the A side of the support: apolypropylene layer of 30 microns, an adhesive, an aluminum layer of 90microns, a polyester layer of 2 microns and density of 2.5 gsm and blackink portions of 1 micron. In an alternative mode, the primer layer isreplaced by a lacquer of thickness 5 microns, preferably a density of5.5 gsm, and containing 5% (wt.) metal pigments.

FIG. 10 relates to a another mode of the code support 30 of theinvention. In this case, the base structure comprises a lacquer 530replacing the primer 510 of FIG. 9. The lacquer is a polymeric layerembedding metallic pigments 535 such as aluminum, silver or copperpigments or mixtures thereof. The thickness of the lacquer is somewhatgreater than the thickness of the primer 510 of FIG. 9, preferably,comprised between 3 and 8 microns, most preferably between 5 and 8microns. The metallic pigments enable to compensate for the reduction ofthe reflectivity of the metal layer by the increased thickness of thepolymer. The lacquer also levels the rugosity of the metal layer.Preferably, the ratio of metallic pigments to lacquer is of at least 1%in weight, more preferably is comprised between 2 and 10% in weight.

In the present invention, the reference to specific metals encompassesthe possible alloys of such metals in which the metal represents themajor component in weight, for instance, aluminum encompasses alloys ofaluminum.

EXAMPLES

Capsules comprising an integrated code support have been tested toevaluate the level of reflectivity of the signal (bit 1/bit 0). Thetests were performed in a simplified configuration of the device ofFIGS. 2a and 2b with the capsule holder 32 removed and replaced by atransparent clamping plate holding the rim of the capsule and providedwith an open air passage for the light beams. The angle between thesender path and receiver path was of 8°, distributed with 4° on eachside of the normal axis N.

Example 1—Detectable Code with Light-Reflective Surfaces by the BaseStructure with Colored Lacquer and Light-Absorbing Surfaces by theOverlying Ink Portions

The support comprised a reflective base structure formed of aluminum of30 microns coated with aluminum pigmented lacquer of 5 microns and 5.5gsm. The absorbing surfaces were formed of a layer of one-micron blackPVC ink sold by Siegwerk. The reflective surfaces were produced by thebase structure (bit 1) and the absorbing surfaces (bit 0) were producedby the black ink portions. The maximal reflectivity measured for thereflective surfaces (bit 1) was 2.68%. The spread on bit 1 was of 1.32%.The minimum reflectivity measured for the absorbing surface (bit 0) was0.73%. The spread on bit 0 was 0.48%. The results are graphicallyillustrated in FIG. 11.

Example 2—Detectable Code with Light-Reflective Surfaces by the BaseStructure with Colorless Primer and Light-Absorbing Surfaces by theOverlying Ink Portions

The reflectivity measurement was performed on an empty capsulecomprising an optical reading support comprising a base structureforming the reflective surfaces and ink portions forming the absorbingsurfaces. For this, the base structure comprised from the B-side to theA (readable) side respectively: a polypropylene layer of 30 microns,adhesive, an aluminum layer of 90 microns, a polyester primer of 2microns and 2.5 gsm (density). Discontinuous bit portions of back ink of1 micron sold by Siegwerk were printed onto the surface of the primer.The support was formed by deep drawing into a body of capsule after inkprinting. The reflective surfaces were therefore produced by the basestructure (bit 1) and the absorbing surfaces (bit 0) were produced bythe black ink portions. The reflectivity of the support was measured.The results are graphically illustrated in FIG. 12. The maximalreflectivity measured for the reflective surfaces (bit 1) was 5.71%. Thespread on bit 1 was of 1.49%. The minimum reflectivity measured for theabsorbing surface (bit 0) was 0.87%. The spread on bit 0 was 0.47%.

Example 3—Non-Detectable Code with Light-Absorbing Surfaces by the BaseStructure and the Light-Reflective Surfaces by the Overlying InkPortions

The reflectivity measurement was performed on an empty capsulecomprising an optical reading support comprising a base structureforming the absorbing surfaces and ink portions forming the reflectivesurfaces. For this, an aluminum support layer was covered with acontinuous matt black lacquer of 5-micron thickness. The reflectivesurfaces were produced by discrete portions of ink having a thickness of1 micron containing more 25% by weight of light-reflective silverpigments. Surprisingly, the signal was not differentiable enough betweenbit 1 and bit 0. The results are graphically illustrated in FIG. 13. Themaximal reflectivity measured for the reflective surfaces (bit 1) was0.93%. The minimum reflectivity measured for the reflective surfaces(bit 1) was 0.53%. The minimum reflectivity measured for the absorbingsurface (bit 0) was 0.21%. The spread on bit 0 was 0.23%.

The invention is claimed as follows:
 1. An optically readable codesupport to be associated with or be part of a capsule intended fordelivering a beverage in a beverage producing device, the opticallyreadable code support comprising at least one sequence of symbolsrepresented on the optically readable code support so that each symbolof the at least one sequence of symbols is sequentially readable by areading arrangement of an external reading device while the capsule isdriven in rotation along an axis of rotation, wherein the at least onesequence of symbols are essentially formed of light reflective surfacesand light absorbing surfaces comprising a base structure extendingcontinuously at least along the at least one sequence of symbols anddiscontinuous discrete light-absorbing portions locally applied onto orformed at a surface of the base structure, the discontinuous discretelight-absorbing portions form the light-absorbing surfaces and the basestructure forms the light-reflective surfaces outside surface areasoccupied by the discontinuous discrete light-absorbing portions, thediscontinuous discrete light-absorbing portions are arranged to providea lower light-reflectivity than a light-reflectivity of the basestructure outside the surface areas occupied by the discontinuousdiscrete light-absorbing portions, and the base structure comprises amonolithic metal or polymeric support layer coated by a lacquercomprising light-reflective particles.
 2. The optically readable codesupport according to claim 1, wherein the base structure and thelight-absorbing portions form, respectively, the light-reflectivesurfaces and the light absorbing surfaces which both reflect, at amaximum of intensity, within reflection angles which differ from oneanother of less than 90 degrees.
 3. The optically readable code supportaccording to claim 1, wherein the base structure comprises metalarranged in the base structure to provide the light-reflective surfaces.4. The optically readable code support according to claim 1, wherein thebase structure comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of:aluminum, silver, iron, tin, gold, copper and combinations thereof. 5.The optically readable code support according to claim 1, wherein thelight-reflective particles comprise metal pigments.
 6. The opticallyreadable code support according to claim 1, wherein the lacquer has athickness greater than 3 microns and less than 10 microns.
 7. Theoptically readable code support according to claim 1, wherein thelacquer comprises between 2 and 10% by weight of metal pigments.
 8. Theoptically readable code support according to claim 1, wherein thediscontinuous discrete light-absorbing portions are formed by anadditional color contrasting layer comprising an ink applied onto thebase structure.
 9. The optically readable code support according toclaim 8, wherein the ink has a thickness between 0.25 and 3 microns. 10.The optically readable code support according to claim 8, wherein theink comprises at least 50% by weight of pigments.
 11. An opticallyreadable code support to be associated with or be part of a capsuleintended for delivering a beverage in a beverage producing device, theoptically readable code support comprising at least one sequence ofsymbols represented on the optically readable code support so that eachsymbol of the at least one sequence of symbols is sequentially readableby a reading arrangement of an external reading device while the capsuleis driven in rotation along an axis of rotation, wherein the at leastone sequence of symbols are essentially formed of light reflectivesurfaces and light absorbing surfaces comprising a base structureextending continuously at least along the at least one sequence ofsymbols and discontinuous discrete light-absorbing portions locallyapplied onto or formed at a surface of the base structure, thediscontinuous discrete light-absorbing portions form the light-absorbingsurfaces and the base structure forms the light-reflective surfacesoutside surface areas occupied by the discontinuous discretelight-absorbing portions, the discontinuous discrete light-absorbingportions are arranged to provide a lower light-reflectivity than alight-reflectivity of the base structure outside the surface areasoccupied by the discontinuous discrete light-absorbing portions, thebase structure comprises a monolithic metal support layer coated by atransparent polymeric primer to form the light reflective surfaces or aninner polymeric layer coated by an outer metallic layer.
 12. Theoptically readable code support according to claim 11, wherein thetransparent polymeric primer has a thickness of less than 5 microns.